Nissan puts brake on production in Japan

The 2018 Nissan Leaf is on display during an unveiling event, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, in Las Vegas. Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. unveiled its zero-emissions vehicle in the U.S. late Tuesday. (AP Photo/John Locher)

INTERNATIONAL - Nissan Motor Company was suspending domestic production of vehicles for the Japanese market for two weeks to address misconduct in its inspection procedures that led to a major recall, the company said yesterday.

Japan’s second-largest carmaker said it would stop production of domestic market vehicles at all six of its Japanese plants to reconfigure their inspection lines.

That came after Nissan admitted uncertified technicians had continued to perform final vehicle checks even after it had said it had strengthened control of its inspection processes when the issue first came to light late last month. The misconduct has already forced Nissan to recall all 1.2million new passenger cars sold in Japan over the past three years, and the company said yesterday about 34000 additional cars would be re-inspected, probably expanding the recall by about 4000 units.

The issue has tarnished Nissan’s brand at home, and along with a data falsification scandal at compatriot Kobe Steel, has raised questions about compliance and quality control.

Japan’s transport ministry said this month it had discovered that uncertified technicians at Nissan plants were using the stamps of certified technicians.